Vol. xx\ lil."j Correspondence. 39 



CORRESPOXDENXE. 



EUPHORBIA JUICE AS A CAUSTIC. 



To the Editor of the ]'icforia!i Naturalist. 



Dear Sir, — With reference to Professor Ewart's note on 

 Euphorbia juice as a caustic, in the Victorian Naturalist for 

 May (page 20), experiments have been going forward with the 

 juice of Euphorbia peplus in the Sydney district to my know- 

 ledge for at least five years. In 1908 I forwarded specimens 

 to the Director of the British Cancer Commission in London 

 at the request of a medical man, but I did not hear with what 

 result. Indeed, I did not write the explanatory letter, which 

 was written by the medical man referred to. 



From the Botanic Gardens I have supplied the plant to at 

 least one hundred applicants for treatment of rodent ulcer, 

 chiefly in the face. Several of our medical men recommend 

 it, and in most cases these people say that they come here at 

 the request of their medical adviser. I have no doubt in some 

 cases people come on their own responsibility, having heard of 

 cures from their friends. As a rule, I do not hear of the 

 patients again, since they are quite satisfied to recognize the 

 plant to enable them to obtain supplies from rubbish heaps and 

 other places in the Sydney district and elsewhere. 



I have heard of a few instances in which the application 

 of the juice has undoubtedly given relief, not merely from 

 patients themselves, but from medical men. 



As we have a number of Euphorbias under cultivation, some 

 of which produce large quantities of milk, I suggested to at 

 least two medical men that e.xperiments with them might be 

 tried, but have not heard whether my suggestion was carried 

 out.— Yours faithfully, J. H. MAIDEN. 



Botanic Gardens, Sydney, 15th May, igii. 



To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist. 



Sir, — Permit me to use your columns to ask the member of the 

 Field Naturalists' Club from whom I recently received an 

 anonymous" letter to furnish me with his name and address, so 

 that I may return the subscription he then enclosed. 



D. BEST. 



The Manuka ix Flower ix April. — Whilst walking near 

 Box Hill on the i6th April I noticed a fine healthy plant of 

 Leptospermuin scoparium in splendid flower. Should this be 

 considered late or early flowering ? In either case, is it not rather 

 an uncommon occurrence ? It is almost needless to say no 

 insect life was on the flowers. — D. Best. 



